The definition of free speech has been at the forefront of American government since the beginning of the nation, and it has been the federal government’s responsibility to redefine this endowed right.

In previous posts, I referenced John Peter Zenger and the Sedition Act of 1918. These are two very important examples of free speech being redefined (unfairly in the case of the Sedition Act) by the American government.

Another example of the limitation of free speech occurred under the Hollywood Ten.

The Hollywood Ten was a group of 10 Hollywood officials (directors, screenwriters, producers, etc) that appeared before the House Un-American Activities Committee in the mid-1940s. They were called upon to be questioned about possible communist affiliations.

This situation represents the limitation of free speech because the group was not able to share their personal opinions without being prosecuted and seen as “un-American”.